The starting eleven was unchanged for the visit of Bristol Rovers while Jak McCourt returned on the bench after missing the midweek win at Swindon through concussion.

Alex Revell put the Cobblers in front on 8 minutes, running onto a long ball from Adam Smith before lobbing Kelle Roos in the Rovers goal. Just moments earlier a smart save from Smith had kept out an overhead kick from Ellis Harrison.

Ollie Clarke shot wide as Rovers looked to level while after a slight lull in the game Sam Hoskins made a good block to deny Connor Roberts.

The Cobblers went close to doubling their lead just before half-time but Sam Hoskins could only find the side netting from Brendan Moloney’s right-wing cross.

Bristol Rovers started the second half on the front foot but some good defending and a vital interception from Matt Taylor kept the home side in front.

Rovers had been pressing and they equalised through Rory Gaffney on the hour mark, his shot appearing to take a deflection to deceive Smith.

The Cobblers keeper made a terrific save to prevent Gaffney scoring a second before Rob Page made two quick changes, bringing on Marc Richards and Kenji Gorre for Harry Beautyman and Paul Anderson.

Peter Hartley headed the away side in front on 71 minutes, the centre-back nodding in from a corner.

The Cobblers were soon back on level terms though, Alex Revell scoring his second of the afternoon after some good work from Gorre.

A top drawer reflex save from Smith denied Gaffney while his opposite number Roos tipped away a curled Gorre strike.

Referee Graham Horwood had to be replaced by one of his assistants after picking up an injury and just seconds after that change the Cobblers were down to ten men when Gabriel Zakuani was shown a second yellow card.

Smith made a good save to keep out Matty Taylor’s ensuing free-kick but Rovers re-took the lead in injury time, Chelsea loanee Charlie Colkett drilling in a low shot at the far post. That proved to be the match winner as a see-saw game ended in a 3-2 away win for Rovers.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)